Space technology has brought about profound changes in the past few decades for science, for business, and for the world at large. It has enabled us to explore the Solar System and observe the universe beyond in ways that were previously impossible. The use of satellites has transformed telecommunications and has made remote observation of the Earth's surface possible, with dramatic effects on a variety of activities from war to weather forecasting. Space is now established as a multi-million-dollar industry. The author provides an authoritative account for the non-specialist of the great variety of human activities in space. He first surveys the history of the subject and describes the various systems available for putting payloads into space. He then considers manned space flight, space science, and the other uses of spacecraft, such as telecommunications and Earth observation. A survey of what is being done by the various countries that are engaged in space activities of one kind or another is followed by a discussion of the commercialization of space, and a postscript considers what activities in space may have to offer for the future. The text is written in a lucid and non-technical style, and a glossary of acronyms is provided.
Reviews
'The book is an excellent, non-technical account of space technology, including an interesting introductory history of man's early thoughts on space and on the early use of rockets. A lively style, ample illustrations and a sound index add to the book's value as a good, "general reader's" primer.' Lloyds List
'this book gives a reasonable overview of the current state of play in the space field ... Where the book is particularly strong is in its description of the administrative and funding aspects of running a space programme ... If, ... you are ... interested in the organizational side this is one of the few popular level books which even touches on the subject.' Nick James, Journal of the British Astronomical Association, Vol. 102, No. 6, Dec. 1992
'this is a very general book that covers most of the traditional categories of space ... The style is lucid without being simplistic, and non-technical, which means that the book is accessible to the general reader ... as a primer on space ... it should be required reading for all students of the subject.' Mark Williamson, Earth Space Review, Vol. 2, No. 1, 1993
'For the non-specialist Roy Gibson provides an authoritative account of the great variety of human activities in space, and the other uses of spacecraft.' J.H.C. Laker, Brecon & Radnor Express Etc.
'For the non-specialist Roy Gibson provides an authoritative account of the great variety of human activities in space, and the other uses of spacecraft.' Fife Free Press Etc.
'an authoritative account for the non-specialist of the great variety of human activities in space ... The text is written in the author's customery lucid and non-technical style and a glossary of acronyms is provided.' Spaceflight, Vol. 35, May 1993



Book Information
ISBN 9780198583431
Author Roy Gibson
Format Hardback
Page Count 166
Imprint Clarendon Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 384g
Dimensions(mm) 240mm * 174mm * 16mm